Method of securing automobile top coverings



1934- i R. J. ODELL I 1,971,723

METHOD OFYSEGURING AUTOMOBILE TOP COVERINGS Filed Feb. 10, 1934 InventorX OZM J 0 29/! Patented Aug. 28, 1934 UNITED STATES METHOD OF SECURINGAUTOMOBILE TOP COVERINGS Robert J. ODell, Ticonderoga, N. Y.

Application February 10, 1934, Serial No. 710,745

2 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicle bodies of the closed type andparticularly to the construction of the top thereof, the principalobject being to provide a method for securing the covering of the top tothe latter. I

An object of the invention is to provide a method for securing thecovering to the top of the vehicle body without resort to nails orsimilar fastening devices.

A still further object of i the invention is to facilitate theapplication of the covering to the top and to permit of such anapplication within a materially less time than now required.

A still further object of the invention is to insure an absolutely surefastening of the cover fabric or material, with smooth surface effectand absolutely tight joint.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the application of theinvention.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view showing the position of the partsjust prior to final setting and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2with the parts in finally set position.

Referring to the drawing by reference numerals it will be seen that 5indicates generally the top or roof panel of the closed body of anautomobile or the like which, inwardly from its marginal edges haspressedoutwardly and downwardly therefrom an integral channel 6 asshown. The fabric for covering the top panel 5 is indicated by thereference numeral '7.

In accordance with the present invention the fabric sheet is placed overthe top 5 with portions of the sheet extending across the top of thechannel 6.

To secure the top covering 7 in position there is provided a fasteningstrip 8 which in the present instance is in the form of a tube of metalor other resilient material, and this tube, as shown is splitlongitudinally. In securing the cover '7 to the top 5 the strip 8 inexpanded form, that is in the form or condition shown in Figure 2 isfirst placed over the portion of the covering 7 bridging the channel 6,after which the tube or strip 8 is pressed into the channel 6 carryingwith it a portion of the covering 7 as clearly suggested in Figure 2.Continuous pressure on the top of the strip 8, that is on the sidethereof opshape it will act to-securely clamp a portion of the coveringsheet 7 within the channel 6. Due to its inherent resiliency andpliability the strip 8 will retain the shape shown in Figure 3 tosecurely lock a portion of the covering fabric 7 within the channel 6.The marginal edge portion of the covering fabric 7 may then be trimmedso that the excess portion thereof can be easily dispensed with, so thatthere will be no unsightly edge projecting from the channel 6. When afinal operation has been completed the result will be as suggested inFigure 3.

From the above it will be seen that I have provided a method forsecuring the covering fabric to the roof panel of an automobile in amanner which will require no fastening element such as nails or the likeand which will permit of applying and securing the covering sheet to thepanel without first trimming the sheet to size, it being permitted, inaccordance with the present invention, to trim the fabric covering afterthe fabric has been secured in position. Such will prove a great savingof time over the old method of nailing or otherwise securing by suchfastening element the cover fabric to the panel as such method usuallynecessitated first trimming the cover sheet of fabric to the propersize.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A method of fastening sheets to a body having an undercut channeltherein consisting in disposing the portion of the sheet to be securedover the channel forcing the sheet into the channel with a split tubeand subsequently exerting pressure against the exposed portion of thetube so as to deform the tube in the channels to cause expansion of thetube in the channel so as to clamp the sheet firmly against the wall ofthe channel.

2. A method of fastening sheets to a body having an undercut channeltherein consisting in disposing the portion of the sheet to be securedover the channel forcing the sheet into the channel with a split tubeand subsequently exerting pressure against the exposed portion of thetube so as to deform the tube in the channels to cause expansion of thetube in the channel so as to clamp the sheet firmly against the wall ofthe channel, said deforming action being such as to flatten the outerportion of the tube to substantial flush disposition with respect to theouter face of the body.

ROBERT J. ODELL.

posite to the silt in the strip will cause the edges of the strip formedby the slit to move inwardly into intimate contact while opposite sideportions of the strip 8 will move radially in the direction of the wallsof the channel 6, while the top portion of the tube will flatten out,the tube assuming the shape shown in Figure 3 in which

